Mountain sweet cicely
Osmorhiza berteroi

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year from a tap-root. The stems are slender and can occur singly or as a cluster. They grow 1 m high. The leaves are compound. They have oval leaflets with notches and they can be 2-7 cm long. They usually have coarse teeth. The leaves at the base usually have long stems. The plants are bushy. The flowers are small and white. They are in clusters arranged like an umbrella. The fruit are black and like needles.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in partly shaded woodlands. It grows from sea level to reasonably high in the mountains in Canada.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Andes, Argentina, Canada, Chile, North America, South America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten steamed or boiled. The young leaves are boiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Osmorhiza chilensis Hook. & Arn.;